Manipur governor appeals to UNC to lift blockade

Imphal, Feb. 23: The governor of Manipur Dr Najma A Heptulla on Thursday appealed to the United Naga Council (UNC) to lift the ongoing economic blockade on the state “on humanitarian ground and in the larger interest of the people” in the state.
The governor expressed deep concern at the indefinite economic blockade by the UNC on two national highways from November 1 last year. The blockade has caused immense hardships to the people of the state particularly in the valley districts, according to a press release.
In the press release, from the deputy secretary of Raj Bhavan in Imphal, it said, “In order to enable the general public to participate in the very important democratic process and exercise their rights of franchise freely and fairly, lifting of the economic blockade is indispensable at this critical juncture.”The governor also strongly appealed to the leaders of the UNC and their supporters to consider lifting the blockade at the earliest keeping aside the standoff between the UNC and the government.
Besides, she expressed concern at picketing of government offices in the Naga-dominated areas in the hill districts and appealed to all in concern to discontinue with such agitations in the interest of the people of the state ‘so as to enable the government functionaries to discharge their responsibilities without any interruption.’
Stating that all issues can be resolved through dialogue, the state governor expressed confidence that the UNC leaders and their supporters would consider the appeal in the interest of the public.
The people of Manipur have been suffering due to the blockade by the UNC which had imposed it in protest against the creation of the Sadar Hills and Jiribam area into full-fledged districts.
In another development, Governor Dr Najma Heptulla and her daughter Dr Rubina Heptulla and granddaughter Nadia Naeem on Thursday visited Sendra, located at the Loktak Lake in Bishnupur district to attend an interaction program with students and guardians of the Loktak Floating Elementary school. The school is the first-ever ‘floating school’ in India.